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Time to go fishing!

Fish come and go, but it is the memory of afternoons on the stream that endures. ~ Nobel Laureate E. Donnall Thomas

For many Minnesotans, May 10 marks the beginning of a season full of fishing with families and friends. This great day is even more welcome this year, given our truly rugged winter. I spent many days of my youth on beautiful lakes and rivers in our great state and I encourage you to show other young Minnesotans the joys of fishing.

If you are looking to fish this season, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ before you hit the water. Their website provides an interactive lake finder, public water access information, rules on state aquatic invasive species laws and information on licenses. Another great source to check out is the “Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors” website (http://www.lgfws.com/). The organization is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals through fishing and boating excursions that strengthen communities, build relationships and create memories.

The White Bear Lake Chapter (http://www.letsgofishingwbl.com/) of Let’s Go Fishing was established in 2009. I encourage you to check out their site to see how you can help. If you are in the White Bear Lake area and have a senior (age 50+), active duty member, veteran, or youth group interested in booking a boating or fishing excursion, you are encouraged to contact the organization at (651) 278-8262 or by emailing WBL@lgfws.com.

It is imperative that we continue to protect our lakes and rivers. Great fishing goes beyond just making our state a wonderful place to live. For many cities throughout the state, fishing is a huge economic driver that brings in statewide and nationwide visitors. Visit the DNR’s aquatic invasive species page (http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquatic) to learn what the state is doing to stop the spread of invasive species and how you can help. Minnesota is a great place to live, but you have to get out and enjoy it. Fishing is a wonderful way to see the state and see everything Minnesota has to offer.

As always, contact me with questions or suggestions regarding any issue. I encourage you to visit me at the Capitol, or let me know if you’d like me to stop by your home or apartment. Also, tune in to my local cable TV show, “Your Capitol: What’s Up?” which appears on public access channels 15 and 16. I can be reached by email at sen.chuck.wiger@senate.mn and by phone at 651-296-6820.